The Toronto Raptors have expressed their intention to lock in Kyle Lowry once he opts from his current deal next summer. However, not all NBA pundits believe the Raptors front-office is 100 percent committed to throw that load of money for the veteran guard.
The Raptors just signed DeMar DeRozan to a five-year, $130 million max deal last summer. Lowry, who is earning $12M per season, is projected to receive a contract worth a minimum $25M per season once he hits the free-agency market next offseason.
Lowry already informed the Raptors management that he's opting out of the final year of his deal to secure one last big contract before his career ends.
Averaging 21.2 points on 42 percent shooting with 6.4 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game last season, Lowry will be easily one of the top free-agents next year. Multiple teams are expected to make pitch for the veteran playmaker, but the length of the contract is still a toss-up.
At 30-years old, teams are iffy to give a four to five-year contract to Lowry, who could soon hit the twilight years of his career.
The Raptors front-office stressed that they are planning to keep their All-Star backcourt of Lowry and DeRozan for more years. However, everything can change if the Raptors failed to live up to expectation midway into the season.
If the win-now Raptors feel that they cannot compete with the Cavaliers anymore before the trade deadline, it won't be surprising if Ujiri pulls on the trigger by trading Lowry for a high pick or a promising young guard.
The New York Knicks have always been a top suitor for Lowry the past few years, and there's no reason why they won't be pursuing Lowry next summer. The Raptors could also explore a potential trade with the Houston Rockets or the Philadelphia Sixers, who are dangling both Nerlens Noel and Jahlil Okafor in the trade market.